A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. (Psalm 68:5, NIV)

I never thought my four children, three boys and a girl, would lose their dad when they were very young. Life was supposed to roll along in the usual way, wasn't it? Instead, my husband died from cancer, and I became a widow at age 38.It was during this dark time that I noticed in my daily Bible reading how God shows His special love and concern for fatherless children and widows. I had not given it much thought before. He promises to provide, like a husband and father, just as He had done in Deuteronomy 14. Back then, He had told His people to lay aside extra food for families in my situation. I saw this again in the story of Ruth, the Moabite widow, who was allowed to gather grain in Boaz's field. God, through Elijah, also provided food for the widow of Zarephath and her son in I Kings 17.His providential care and direction for us was soon evident. I was able to work out of my home by teaching classes to homeschoolers through a private school program. Later, I decided to homeschool my own children. Positive male role models came along to coach my kids' sports and to be godly leaders for their church activities. We were covered in much prayer by friends and relatives. I am so thankful that our heavenly Father cares deeply about those of us who have suffered loss.

Father, we are grateful that You have a special concern for single parent families. We can trust You to provide our needs. In Jesus' name, Amen.